Denmark / Germany
Micro-museums in Sønderjylland-Schleswig, a rural cross-border region spanning Denmark and Germany
Klarissa Lueg
Associate Professor, Pilot leader
“Corporate museums can be an attractive offering that draws cultural tourists to the region or encourages local tourists to stay. Local and regional companies can use ‘micromuseums’ to make local heritage accessible to all interested citizens. Micromuseums require minimal resources and space, yet they are highly appealing to customers and the public. Alternatives include virtual museums or larger corporate museums. Our goal is to showcase such initiatives by dedicated organizations and bring them together in an app”
Henri Haase
International Project Manager, Pilot Coordinator
“With our ‘Corporate Heritage Network’ we connect corporate museum owners, developers, and stakeholders who share an interest in cultural heritage. We provide a community of practice where participants collaborate by sharing perspectives, knowledge and experiences related to corporate heritage and corporate museums, with the aim of making ‘local heritage accessible to all’.”
Introduction
Sønderjylland-Schleswig, a rural cross-border region spanning Denmark and Germany, is rich in cultural heritage which is not yet fully employed for innovative tourism concepts. There is currently a high awareness of sustainability and climate neutrality among businesses and municipalities, however circular economy initiatives remain underexplored. The VERNE project aims to address these challenges by promoting sustainable cultural and heritage tourism through corporate micro-museums, fostering regional identity, and integrating digital solutions to enhance accessibility and engagement.
Circular Economy Solutions
The VERNE pilot in Sønderjylland-Schleswig introduces an innovative, sustainable approach to heritage tourism by:
Corporate Micro-Museum
Supporting businesses in creating small-scale, corporate-owned museums that repurpose existing and recycled materials to showcase historical artifacts, industry heritage, and cultural narratives. These micro-museums enhance local tourism while promoting sustainability.
Shared Value and Corporate Heritage
Encouraging businesses to align their corporate identity with heritage preservation, fostering competitive advantage while enhancing social sustainability. This approach follows the concept of Corporate Heritage Communication, benefiting both stakeholders and regional development.
Sustainable Exhibition Design
Museums will feature re- and upcycled artifacts, utilizing eco-friendly display materials, and promoting slow tourism.
Web App for Cultural Tourism
A prototype app will be developed to match tourists with corporate (micro-) museums, optimizing travel routes to reduce emissions and enhance local tourism experiences. The app will serve as a network connecting micro-museums, businesses, and visitors.
Cross-Border Cooperation & Inclusion
The pilot maintains an active community of practice dedicated to knowledge sharing on cultural heritage, local cultures, business practices, and cultural sustainability. Citizens, business owners, cultural experts, tourism experts, NGOs and researchers together build the necessary expertise to bring the pilot forward.
The pilot aims to establish or to identify at least six corporate micro-museums and document their development as best-practice cases for future implementation.
Stakeholders
The success of this circular cultural tourism initiative relies on collaboration between key actors, possibly including:
- Business and Corporate Stakeholders
- Tourism and Cultural Organizations
- Municipalities and Regional Authorities
- Technology and Research Partners
- Local Communities and Groups
Conclusion
The VERNE project in Sønderjylland-Schleswig presents a groundbreaking approach to cultural and heritage tourism by combining circular economy principles with corporate micro-museums. By promoting shared value, sustainable heritage preservation, and digital accessibility, the project addresses economic challenges, fosters regional cooperation, and enhances local tourism experiences. With at least six micro-museums and a functional web app (prototype), VERNE will set a replicable model for sustainable cultural tourism in rural and cross-border regions. All developed and tested solutions will be available via the VERNE One-Stop-Shop by the end of the project, ensuring long-term impact and accessibility.